Through my views

My journey began by taking the A/C volvo semi luxury coach. Being a single traveller my mother kept hoping that I shouldn't be able to purchase my ticket and that my plan has to be cancelled. But what luck I managed to get one. Sitting in the bus I informed the driver to let me know when kankavli stop arrives. The bus driver nodded and carried on with his driving. Once my journey began full fledged I felt the driver drove at a speed of a jet. Fear that I would miss the stop, I kept an alarm at 5. My trusty alarm did ring but my eyes refused to open. I finally decided by 6 that I shouldn't shut my eyes and decided to break it by walking towards the driver. Glanced out of the window, at a hint of dawn, the thin fog turned thick. I walked to the driver and asked him how long will it take for me to reach and he said 5 mins. Asked me to collect my bags. 6 o'clock sharp I reached kankavli stop and I called sandeep, a cordinator of Culture Aangan,  who picked me up and brought me to his home.

Sandeep house looked very mod with a flat screen tv, well furnished house and with all modern facilities. I felt at home because of him and his wife Manisha's lovely hospitality and warmth.  I was also introduced to his daughter tanishka of 1 1/2 years old. A darling doll.

As I freshened up I told sandeep since we have time in hand. I would like to see a homestay if possible, the hotel that we offer to schools and his original house which I have heard so much of from my colleagues.

My first stop shreeyog paryathan. The scenic beauty to go to this homestay cannot be described unless and untill you see it. I was lucky to sit of sandeep's bike where I was flawed by the lush green. A perfect time of the year where everything is so green and the monsoons have cleaned the dust from the leaves. As I reached mrs kadam was at the doorstep wondering who had come with sandeep. I introduced myself and she expressed her excitement as if I was someone she knew ages ago. Having already eaten at sandeep's house she happened to offer me breakfast again. As much as I wanted to refuse, her warm and amicability didn't let me say no. Was introduced to Mr. Kadam who sat with me for a nice chat describing his past of why he left mumbai city and found this the right choice in his life. Went on a tour of the house and as it is renovation, it should be done by next month.

Mr. Kadam was given this piece of land by his father in law. On his visit to this land, he saw nothing but jungles. A land he thought would not be of any use to him. Gradually thinking over it he realised that this land is not useless at all. It has its value because of CIDCO and the konkan railway construction. He then decided to build a home. In 2001 he decided to construct shreeyog paryathan. Mrs Kadam comes for a artistic background. She has done her arts from J J school of arts and then went on to become an art teacher in mumbai school. Shreeyog paryathan today is her very own design. Mr kadam then bought another plot of the neighbouring land at a rate of Rs. 30000. He sold this land to his current neighbour at a profit ten times more.

Today the old couple has more happiness then one would ever imagined in the city. Something I would never experience in the city said Mr. Kadam. He never went to the market because he grew his vegetables in his own land. A dream I would also want to cherish.




My next stop was Sandeep Sawant's traditional malvani home. A long drive with narrow zic zac road, lush green, cloudy skies. Drizzling rains, pattering over the leaves, settling the dust made this drive a memorable one. On the way sandeep educated me about how big this township is. And how difficult it use to be earlier for him to come to town as there were no good infrastructure. One side was a dense forest and the other was a display of mountain ranges covered in green. As I finally reached sandeep's house. An entrance with stone seating around creating a courtyard. I entered his home, it had a decor  a welcome by the local gods. Further inside is the local kitchen, another room, toilet, a store room. This place is where 100 family members, friends and relative gather during their festivals. I happened to meet his mother who is residing there due to the nine days navratri festival. Currently as Shishuvan students have come on their educational trip, the dasera festival will be done in his home.

On my way back, sandeep made a few stops to the local market. As I expressed my interest over fish, we also ended up going to the local fish market. Sandeep bought some fresh prawns. A superb delicious meals I could just eat for the rest of my life... And of course I won't forget his daughter. She was a star of my whole trip.

The evening was spend at the hotel where a group of 8th standard school children were put up. Upon their arrival and a long tedious journey, students were made to sit for an introductory speech given by Mr. S. Kadam about Sindhudurg and what they will expect during their stay here. I must say, the students were very disciplined and well mannered and yes i did have an interesting chat with them on one on one basis. 

The second day was something I was really looked forward too as I was going to be exposed to some on the Cultural activities that Sindhudurg had to offer. It was my very first exposure after working for Culture Aangan. Our first stop after breakfast was Mulde Agricultural Research Station. A huge plot of land looked after by the government.  A group of scientist and experts from their respected fields worked here. Their work was based on how vegetation can be improved by considering the various geographical factors, scientific methods, kind of soil, rainfall etc. Workshops were conducted educating the farmers as to how they can improve their farming skills and benefit within themselves. Given a brief information about what Mulde Agricultural Research Station is all about, children were then taken on a tour of the area. It included the ornamental fish culture, weather forecast center, grafting of the mango plant and palm tree cultivation for oil. It has a beautiful reservoir. A scenic view and indeed gave a cool presence on hot October day.

The next stop was one of my favorite was the potter's village or in local language called as Kumbharwadi. The potters here were the original inhabitants and remained here. Not knowing the national language, the activity began with them demonstrating how a pot is made by manually rotating the wheel and curving the pot with both their hands. A demonstration that looked like a piece of cake. Simple and smooth... The fun was when the students got pepped up to get their hands dirty and start making their own creation. When they actually sat to make pot, it ended up on weird shape. They did learn that you require alot of patience to make something beautiful in the beginning and then later it will be as eazy as ABC. What surprised me the most is the students interaction with the potters. Asking them the right questions. Understanding the world in their shoes. After the interactive session was over or next visit was the Pinguli Village.

Pinguli Village is dominated by the Thakkar adivasi. They are known for their string puppetry. While I sat there listening to them, I realised that everything that they have learnt today is from word or mouth. They had no education expect what was taught to them by their elders. They moved from one destination to another entertaining the locals through their puppetry. The stories were about Ramayan and Mahabharat, taught to them by the ancestors. Sadly I couldn't take any pictures because I was completely mesmorised by this village.  A small village but so much of entertainment. Today they have a proper lawn with chairs, light setup and a stage, proper technical support and musical instruments. Though the depiction is in Marathi but nevertheless understood by all. As for me.... its a must see. A major success in my journey. The students enjoyed thoroughly saying that they haven't seen a version of Mahabharat and Ramayan like this. Understanding every word and language made them very satisfied. This was their last visit of the day. While bringing them back to the hotel, the talks about Pinguli never really stopped.


As much as I didn't want to leave, I already packed my bags before leaving so that I couldn't waste any time at all. After the sumptuous dinner cooked by Manisha... I took the last bus out to back home. Reached home early in the morning to start a new day....